Dilantin is used to treat many kinds of seizures including tonic-clonic seizures, focal seizures, absence seizures, seizures during surgery and status epilepticus. It can also be used for patients with abnormal heart rhythms including tachycardia.

There are various reasons why people experience brain atrophy or degeneration. Some studies have shown that patients experience a shrinking cerebellum as a result of the use of certain drugs like Dilantin.

What is Dilantin?

Dilantin, generically known as phenytoin, is a drug widely used to treat epilepsy and seizure disorders. It is also used for those undergoing surgery in order to prevent seizures.

Dilantin has been in use for many years; in fact, it was developed over a hundred years ago by a German scientist. It wasn’t found useful for seizure control until the 1930s and subsequently came to be a widespread drug used to treat seizures.

In fact, phenytoin is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines. It is relatively cheap and has been used worldwide.

However, Dilantin has been associated with brain atrophy, cerebellar atrophy and a shrinking cerebellum.

Long Term Problems Including Shrinking Cerebellum

The atrophy of the brain can occur for a number of different reasons. These can include multiple sclerosis, age, tumors and other brain disorders. One of these reasons, however, can also include the long-term use of phenytoin. When tissue in the brain loses neurons and neural connections, cerebral atrophy can occur.

When atrophy happens all over the brain, in a generalized way, the entire brain experiences “shrinkage.” This is called cerebral atrophy.

When only part of the brain experiences atrophy, namely the cerebellum, this is called focalized atrophy. A shrinking cerebellum can significantly alter the daily activities of the patient by affecting the functions of that part of the brain.

The cerebellum controls the voluntary movements of the body; in the brain, it rests behind the brain stem under the cerebrum. Divided into two hemispheres, it controls posture, balance, speech and the ability for body coordination. When a patient experiences a shrinking cerebellum, many problems can occur.

A patient with a shrinking cerebellum due to long-term Dilantin use experiences many problems with balance, posture and simple coordination. Often, the effects of a shrinking cerebellum look similar to that of a patient who has experienced a stroke.

He or she may suffer from a lack of balance, tremors, shaking, unstable eye movements and the slow moving of the body. Sometimes, normal tasks like eating and walking can be difficult.

Other signs of a shrinking cerebellum due to Dilantin use include jerky arm or leg movement, an unsteady walk, tremors in the body, slurred speech and fast, twitchy movements in the eyes.

Certain studies have found that patients who use Dilantin for a long period of time can develop cerebral atrophy or a shrinking cerebellum. When the drug use is above the recommended therapeutic range and when it is taken for a long period of time, it has been found that patients can experience atrophy. Symptoms lessen when Dilantin is stopped.

If you or someone you love has taken Dilantin and has experienced symptoms like lack of coordination or balance, you may benefit from speaking with an experienced attorney.